Tag Archive for: The Entertainer

What’s On in Wimbledon This May Half-Term

Can You Spot a Corgi?

Take the kids on a hunt to find all five of our Jubilee-themed plinths across the town centre – there’s a corgi, a portrait of The Queen, a crown, a teacup, and an environmentally inspired design that was driven by the community. Can you find them all?

Head Outside to Play

When the sun’s in the sky, there’s no reason not to play outdoors. Make the most of the sunny weather with an awesome range of kids’ mud kitchens, sandpits, paddling pools, bubble machines and playhouses at The Entertainer. Guaranteed to entertain even the most active of kids!

Opt for sustainable toys from Elys, including a micro scooter that is made using discarded fishing nets that pollute our oceans. Plus pick up activity packs or colouring books to keep them occupied during picnics from Smiggle and The Works.

Get Creative and Arty

Take part in Jubilee-themed art and craft activities at FREE Platinum Jubilee Creative Family workshops in Wimbledon Library. Hosted by CityLit, parents and carers are invited to just turn up and join alongside their children (ages 3-10) on Wednesday 1st June from 10am – 12.30pm.

Whether you’re looking to inspire the kids or you’re looking for a West End experience, Wimbledon’s theatre scene is brimming this half-term! Watch Errol and sister Tia’s dream of creating a community garden at age 10, come to life in the interactive musical Errol’s Garden (30th May – 1st June). Or rock the night away at a performance of  We Will Rock You (30th May – 4th June), also at New Wimbledon Theatre.

Join a fresh new bite of the classic tale Snow White showing at Polka Theatre (27th May – 5th June) or take enjoy the return of The Paper Dolls – referred to as “a magical version of the best arts and crafts session you can imagine!” (20th May – 7th August).

Plus don’t miss the FREE book launch of Wilder than Midnight at Polka Theatre – a bold and evocative adventure centred around sisterhood and the power of myths and storytelling. Perfect for middle-grade readers aged 9 and above.  

Unleash their creativity at full-day art workshops from Art-K, and allow them to get messy exploring a range of mediums such as clay, watercolour, acrylics, and mixed media (30th May – 2nd June). Childcare vouchers are accepted.

Stay local and #LoveLocal this May half term.

Where To Donate in Wimbledon This Christmas

As the weather gets colder and we tuck into comforting food, enjoy cosy evenings and begin shopping for Christmas presents for our loved ones, it’s important to recognise how fortunate many of us are. There are many people in need locally, whose situations have been further affected by the pandemic and they continue to struggle for food, shelter, clothing, access to technology for education, and much more.

There are a range of ways that you can help those who may struggle this winter, including donating to local charities and organisations, who work to reach those in need.

Shoebox Appeal

Fill a shoebox full of items that might be useful for those who are homeless, e.g. toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, scarves, hats and non-perishable foods, then drop off your box at Wimbledon Station ticket hall. From 6th – 11th December, South Western Railway staff are running their annual Shoebox Appeal in Wimbledon Station, collecting donations to support Merton Faith in Action (FiA). The Merton FiA operate a weekly homeless drop-in centre to support vulnerable people in our community, which includes providing a two-course hot meal, shower facilities, clothes and advice.


The Entertainer store in Wimbledon, are also acting as drop off points for the Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal, between 15th – 22nd November, where boxes are shipped to children outside the UK who are affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease. Watch the video to find out more here.

Toy Donation

Got toys taking up space in your house, that the children are bored of? The Entertainer are also accepting donations of plastic children’s toys (must be in good condition) which will be rehomed via The Salvation Army, to underprivileged children living in poverty, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to play this Christmas. The scheme runs all year-round and aims to reduce plastic waste by prolonging the life of toys, and avoiding them going to landfill. Note: Soft toys and toys without a valid CE mark present will not be accepted. Morrisons Wimbledon has also set up a Toy Donation Station at the front of the store, aimed at receiving toys for 0-14-year-olds which will be donated via Dons Local Action Group. The Community Giving Christmas Tree, beside the toy donation point, is another great way to donate. Simply pick off a bauble, worth £1/£2/£5, and scan it through the checkouts to donate to Merton Faith in Action.

Furniture, Food and Technology

Dons Local Action Group welcomes donations of laptops for young people who do not have access to the internet via a computer at home, as well as furniture and food items. Originally formed by fans of AFC Wimbledon during the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity continues to collect food and essential items outside Morrisons Wimbledon, to deliver to those in need in the local community.

Wimbledon Foodbank provides three days of nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are encouraging the local community to purchase a supermarket gift card for £10/£20, which will allow a family to buy the essentials for a Christmas dinner. Alternatively, you can donate non-perishable, in-date foods to the food donation point located in Waitrose (Alexandra Road, Wimbledon), at the front of the store beside the cash machine. Opening hours are: 8am – 9pm weekdays, 8am – 8pm Saturdays and 11am – 5pm on Sundays. Check out their weekly update of the urgent items that are needed here and read more ideas about how you can help struggling families this Christmas here.

Remember you can also contribute to the above organisations by donating money or offering your time. Other local organisations that could benefit from monetary donations or volunteering assistance include:

  • Merton Street Pastors: a group of volunteers from local churches in Merton, who conduct late night patrols of the streets of Wimbledon to look for and help rough sleepers.
  • Merton’s Winter Night Shelter offers warmth, food and a place to sleep for up to 5 local rough sleepers over the coldest months of December, January and February. Volunteers here also help to provide move-on opportunities for guests.
  • Wimbledon Guild are asking people to donate £10, or whatever they can afford, to their Christmas Appeal to help spread Christmas joy to people with no one else to turn to. Help give local families the support they need – from heating their homes, providing warm clothing/bedding or making sure they have enough to eat. Your support also means that someone on their own can celebrate at one of Wimbledon Guild’s Christmas lunches.

Kick-Start Your Christmas with Festive Workshops

 

Heading Home with Neptune

Kick-start your festive season with Neptune, as they celebrate the arrival of their new winter collection with a range of workshops and events to welcome in Christmas.

Christmas Wreath-Making Workshop 
Friday 15th November 2019, 11am – 1pm
Under the guidance of Makiko Design Studio, Neptune’s wreath masterclass will provide you with decorative ideas to help you get your door ready for Christmas. Tickets will include everything you’ll need to create your wreath, as well as plenty of tea, coffee, prosecco and mulled wine to keep you well-fuelled.

 

Free Live Cooking Demonstration
Saturday 16th November 2019, 11am & 2pm
Join Becky Wilkinson for a seasonal cooking how-to, which will include how to make the most of your festive leftovers and ideas for edible gifts. Guests will leave with recipe cards to help recreate the dishes demonstrated, so come along and remember to bring an empty stomach!

 

Live Music & Sweet Treats
Sunday 17th November 2019, 11am
Enjoy live performances from SandLiveMusic and learn how to make sweet treats with local food and lifestyle blogger Sisley White.

 

Contact Neptune Wimbledon to book or reserve your place now.

 

Get Creative This Christmas with Lu-Ma Café

Wimbledon’s award-winning healthy café Lu-Ma welcomes you to their festive workshops.

Lu-Ma Cafe

Christmas Wreath Workshop
Wednesday 27th November 2019
Lu-Ma Café joins forces with Gardenia to bring you a special festive Flower School class, helping you learn how to decorate your own Christmas door wreath.

 

‘Christmas Rehearsal’ Cooking Class
Wednesday 11th December 2019
Lu-Ma’s Head Chef Angela Agrati Prange teaches you how to cook delicious dishes for your Christmas dinner and shares some of her best cooking secrets.

 

Festive Flower School Decoration Workshop
Thursday 12th December 2019
Under the guidance of professional Gardenia florists, learn how to create your own Christmas table decorations to take home, whilst Lu-Ma Café treat you to delicious canapés and festive tipples, to help those creative juices flow.

 

Contact Lu-Ma Café to book or reserve your place now.

 

Santa Letter Writing Workshop with The Entertainer

Entertainer Santa Letter

Write and send your very own letter to Santa this Christmas, with the help of The Entertainer. The store’s friendly elves are on hand to provide help and ensure that the letters are sent to Santa, who will reply in time for Christmas!

Workshops will involve several free activities for children and will be taking place in store at The Entertainer Wimbledon on the following dates:

 

Saturday 9th November 2019, 10am – 4pm

Saturday 16th November 2019, 10am – 4pm

Saturday 23rd November 2019, 10am – 4pm